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Vomiting is another "symptom" that may come with any of a variety of illnesses. Most of the time, we see it with gastroenteritis, also called the "stomach flu." It is often accompanied by diarrhea. It happens to everyone and it happens a lot! When do you worry? Read the following handout for more information.
 

Vomiting is another "symptom" that may come with any of a variety of illnesses. Most of the time, we see it with gastroenteritis, also called the "stomach flu." It is often accompanied by diarrhea. It happens to everyone and it happens a lot! When do you worry? Read the following handout for more information.

 

 

Vomiting in children is most commonly caused by viral infections which we refer to as "gastroenteritis" (stomach flu). Whether there is vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever depends on the specific virus. Sometimes fever can represent the first phase of gastroenteritis, vomiting the second phase, and diarrhea the third phase

Please understand that there are many reasons a person vomits, and we want you to keep this in mind as you deal with your ill child. If the suggested measures do not bring the vomiting under control within 12 hours, or if there is progressive stomach pain, blood in the vomit or stool, or extreme lethargy, please contact your doctor's office

TREATMENT

If your infant or child has vomited two or three times, your first action is to stop all intake for about two hours.

After two hours:

  • Start a clear liquid diet. For infants less than 1 year of age, use hydrating solutions such as Pedialyte. Children older than 1 year should be started on 7-Up (room temperature and de-fizzed), Gatorade, or jello water. Older children can have Popsicles. An infant can be started on 7-Up until one of the hydrating solutions can be obtained. Give 2 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes for an hour.
  • If the child or infant holds this down, increase amount to 1 ounce every 20 minutes for an hour.
  • If these amounts are held down, you may increase the fluids you are giving to about 4 ounces and offer them hourly. (Keep in mind that your child is less likely to continue vomiting if the amount of fluid given each time is small and dehydration is unlikely in the first 12 hours of a vomiting-type illness.)
  • If you have made it through the first three steps and your child begins vomiting again, wait two hours and try 2 ounces of the fluids you have been using, progressing as tolerated. If he is still unable to hold this down, please call the doctor's office.
  • After being on a clear liquid diet for 24 hours and no more vomiting has occurred (and there is no diarrhea present), you may offer a soft diet. For those infants and children who eat solid foods, you may give cereal (cooked or dry with no milk added), dry toast (jelly is okay, but no butter or peanut butter), Jello, egg (poached or soft-boiled), crackers, potatoes, cooked rice, noodles, applesauce, and banana.
  • About 12 hours later, you may resume normal feeding.
 
 
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